5 College Degrees That Will Make You Filthy Rich

February 15, 2017

It’s common knowledge that earning a higher education degree will lead to better lifetime earnings over the course of your career. But not all degrees are created equal. Just how lucrative a degree will be is dependent on job specialization, demand, and industry growth. Taking all of these factors into consideration, here is our list of the 5 college degrees that will make you filthy rich:

1. Engineering

It almost sounds like a cliché to tell someone to get their engineering degree if they want high pay and job security. It’s well-known that an engineering degree will be highly beneficial to your career path, and there’s a reason for that. Engineering majors earn the highest starting salaries among all undergrad college degrees, with an average beginning salary of over $60,000, and have the ability to work at a myriad of different companies. Furthermore, there are many types of engineering, making it almost certain that your interests and talents can be put to use.

2. Computer Science

Another highly attractive degree, computer science is in a growing industry, and offers the second-highest average starting salary of all undergrad college degrees. Computer science majors also have the flexibility to work independently as programmers, or for an established company or start-up. Students in this major routinely earn up to $60,000 in their first year out of college, with the potential of earning much more within specific disciplines. Those with a degree in computer science can explore in the tech industry whereas the salary of a software engineer can raise up to a six figures yearly.

3. Accounting

Accounting topped Forbes’ 2016 list as the single most in-demand undergrad degree. If you’re looking for job security with a solid pay grade, an accounting degree may be the way to go. Accounting majors are offered the best hiring prospects, and their degree will always be in demand.

4. MBA

A master’s in business administration is of the most beneficial degrees you can possibly attain in terms of added salary value. According to Ohio University, 90% of graduates say that an MBA degree online helped improve their job performance, and 80% of graduates say that the degree helped them advance in their career. Earning an MBA will net you an additional $45,000 a year in your chosen profession, on average, and if you live on the west coast, the payoff is even better. In California, MBA graduates earn an average salary exceeding $100,000 a year. An MBA will greatly add to your depth of knowledge, and boost your chances at earning a promotion.

5. Math

According to a study done by USA Today in 2015, Math grads will earn an average of $3.1 million over their lifetimes. Not bad for paying attention in algebra class. In reality, it is a difficult degree to achieve, but there is a consistently growing demand for mathematics majors in management positions, meaning that this degree will always be highly valuable.

Other College Degrees

There are many other degrees that will lead to lucrative careers, but if lifetime earnings and job security plays heavily into your decision, consider pursuing one of these five degrees if you want the highest chance at getting filthy rich.